Portable sawmill



Dec. 18, 1934. M, E. PEACE PORTABLE SAWMILL Filed April 17, 1933 I5Sheets-Sheet l mm w gwucm io b MinorEmmefi Peace 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. E.PEACE PORTABLE. SAWMILL Filed April 1'7, 1933 Dec. 18, 1934.

Dec. 18, 1934. PEACE 1,984,492

PORTABLE-SAWMILL Filed April 17, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 18,1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE SAWMILL Minor Emmett Peace,Magnolia, Ark. Application April 17, 1933, Serial No. 666,611

13 Claims. (01. 143-43) My invention relates to sawmills andparticubasis which is practically impossible with the larly to suchmachines of the type which can present type of portable mill. Thesaw'frame be separated into several portable sections for is rigidlymounted on the unit which carries the movement from place to place.track and is riveted in place so that neither the Portable sawmills inthe past have had nusaw nor the track can possibly be thrown out of 5merous disadvantages. One ofthe most damagalignment. Since the parts aremade of steel ing of these is the tendency of the saw to cut braced soas to rigidity the whole framework, crookedly and thus produce boards ofthe wrong no sagging can occur and proper alignment of thickness.Another undesirable feature is the the log is insured. The bearings ofthe whole fact that such mills, subjected as they are to arrangementwill be pr p ly supported 80 that 10 the constant hazard of fire, cannotbe insured there will be no strain on the various drivin except atprohibitive rates. The life of a portshafts. The device, while strongenough to stand able mill is, as a rule, relatively short and its almostany amount of abuse and hard usage, is efliciency is usually quite low.The constant still light enough to be transported easily. The

shocks and strains to which such a construction nature of the frameworkfor some reason ap- 15 is subjected because of the movement of the pearsto make the device capable of standing the heavy logs often results inits early destruction. impacts and stresses due to the movement ofFurther disadvantages are often present in heavy logs better than awooden support. In mills of this type. In the first place, the wasteaddition, the manufacture of such a device out and sawdust from the millis not taken care of of a metal framework makes it easier to form 20 andis likely to pile up to such an extent that it it in a plu a y of s p ase w ch a becomes necessary to move the whole mill even e S CHTBd ge rin accurate and exact 1 before the timber in its vicinity is exhausted.tio when the mill is in use.

In addition, these materials greatly increase the A second obj of theinv n n is the m n fire hazard. In locating the usual mill, a pitfacture of a portable mill in two units which can 25 must be dug underthe'saw for the dust and this 'be secured together to form a single,complete pit will often be filled with water during rainy sawmill evenby unskilled persons. More speweather. It is practically impossible toget beifi a ly. I p at the s of tw u one heath the mill to make anynecessary repairs of which carries a track for the carriage and athereunder. The foundations used for such saw frame rigidlymounted withrespect to the 30 mills are usually unsteady and unsatisfactory trackfor holding the saw. A second unit carryand do not permit of easy use.ing a roll conveyor for receiving slabs and planks The primary object ofthe present invention from the saw and an edger mechanism can be is theconstruction of a mill which will not be secured side by side with thefirst unit. This subject to any of the above disadvantages or edger unitis adapted to support at least the first 35 drawbacks. The mill isconstructed in two units unit of a strip and slab conveyor. The two eachof which consists of a steel framework. I units are secured together bya fewbolts and have discovered that one of the reasons for the when sosecured are accurately positioned for crooked or improper cutting actionof the saw proper operation of the mill as a single unitary in mostportable mills is that the saw frame is device. Each section is providedwith wheels so 40 not rigidly held in proper alignment with the that itcan be transported easily. carriage tracks. This is often caused byyield- A further object of the invention relates to the ing of the wood,by warping or shrinking, or by arrangement of the driving mechanisms ina mill wear on the bolt holes of the bolts which hold of thistype. Oneprincipal feature of my conthe saw frame in place. In addition, I havestruction is that the power plant may be located 45 found that thecarriage track itself is often on the opposite side of the saw unit fromthe thrown out of proper alignment for one of these edger where it iscompletely out of the way. This reasons. Finally, the carriage trackis'likely to is accomplished preferably by the use of transsag betweenits supports when formed of wood verse shafts running through the twoframes, and

and this in itself will reduce the efficiency of the coupled together inany suitable manner. The 50 machine to a considerable extent. I end ofthe shaft extending beyond the side of On the other hand, a constructionformed the saw unit is driven by the power plant. All throughout ofsteel is of course indestructable by the various mechanisms of the millare driven fire. Such an apparatus can be insured at a from this singleshaft and its extension through low rate and can therefore be sold on atime the edger unit. The device is so arranged that 55 when it isdesired to move the mill from place to place only one belt need beremoved and one shaft uncoupled.

Another purpose of the invention lies in the provision of a sawdustconveyor which will remove the sawdust from the vicinity of the saw anddrop it at a distance from the mill. Another feature is the provision ofthe live roll carrier for conveying slabs or planks from the saw to theedger. Finally, a removable slab and strip conveyor is providedwhichtakes any material from the end of the live roll bed or from the edgertables and removes it to a distance from the machine where it can beburned. This last conveyor is preferably aligned with the end of thelive roll bed and lies in substantially the same horizontal plane. Atleast one unit of the slab and strip conveyor is removably mounted onthe edger unit so that it can be taken down if necessary to reduce theheight of the edger unit during trans portation. v

In setting my mill up for use, a steady andfirm base can be made withoutdigging any deep holes. All that is necessary is to level off a fewspots on the ground, on which large beams can then be placed upon whichthe mill units are supported. I have found that such a construction iseasy to use and gives entirely satisfactory results since no strainsexerted on the mill during any sort of use will result in damage. Inaddition, this arrangement raises the mill high enough to permit entryto the under side for the purpose of making repairs, a matter which isfacilitated by the metallic framework structure.

A further object is to make the end sections of the units in such amanner that they can be hinged to the body portions and folded overthereon during transportation to shorten the lengths of the units. l

The mill according to this invention may be used with any kind ofmachinery and any type of carriage. Any suitable source of power may beused for driving it. The shafts are so arranged that additional drivesfor adding other machinery such as a trimmer can be put in easily.

The arrangement is easily assembled and op erated and yet is extremelypractical and useful. It can be assembled and used by unskilled personsand does not require frequent care to see that the parts are properlypositioned. It is practically fool proof and yet is inexpensive andeconomical in its operation. In fact, it isan ex tremely practical formof portable mill.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fullyfrom thefollowing description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which form a part -thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view half of the mill in assembled position.

Fig. 1a is a similar view forming a continuation of Fig. 1 of the otherhalf of the mill; 7

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the portion of the mill shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2a is a continuation of Fig. 2 showing the other portion of themill.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the liveroll bed with one of its wallspartly removed.

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the first unit of the slab and stripconveyor.

Fig. 5 is a detail cross section of the connection between the units.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the hinge. conof one longitudinalnection between the end section and the body of the saw unit.

Fig. 7 is a cross section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the connection between the two sectionsof the saw unit.

Fig. 9 is a detail cross section through the shaft coupling.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the invention comprises a saw and carriageunit A and an edger unit B. The first unit includes a track C, acarriage D mounted on the track for carrying logs, and a saw frame E.The edger unit includes a live roll bed F, an edger G, tables H, andsupportsone end of a slab and strip conveyor I. The two units arearranged as shown, partially overlapping and side by side, with the sawframe at a point intermediate the ends of the unit A and the unit Blocated principally or wholly to one side of this saw frame andextending beyond the end of the unit A.

The saw. unit includes a framework or beamlike structure consisting oflongitudinal elements, transverse elements and bracing elements. At eachcorner is a longitudinal element formed of two angle irons 2 boltedtogether so as to present a T form having the two joined flangesextending downwardly at the top and upwardly at the bottom. The verticaltransverse members comprising girders or other suitable rigid metallicmembers 4 secured to the angle irons 2 by means of fish plates Gwhichare riveted to the members 4 and extend between and are secured to theflanges of the angle irons. Angular bracing members 8 are also securedto the fish plates and run diagonally across the spaces formed by thelongitudinal and vertical members 2 and 4. Horizontal transverse girders10 are also rigidly secured to the longitudinal members 2 by fish plates11 or the like. Along the top and bottom of the saw unit are alsodiagonal bracing members 12 secured in the spaces formed by thehorizontal and longitudinal members by means of fish plates 11. Thisarrangement forms a rigid frame.

Mounted in the lower portion of the frame A and away from the centerthereof is an axle 14 carrying wheels 16 which extend below the frame.On the endmost horizontal member 10 at the 0pposite end of the frameis'a plate 18 suitably apertured or otherwise arranged to be attached toa tractor or the like.

Rigidly mounted on one side of the frame A and between the ends thereofis the saw frame E. This frame is carried by girders 20 which aresecured to the longitudinal and transverse members ofthe framework. Thisframe includes a shaft 22 mounted in suitable bearings and having at itsouter end a pulley 24. At its inner end this shaft carries the saw 26which operates in a slot 28 in the frame. Beneath the saw is a hopper 30the sides of which slope downwardly towards its bottom. A chain conveyor32 runs through a slot 34 in the bottom of the hopper and passingthrough the lowest portion of the hopper picks up and removes thesawdust which drops from the'saw. This conveyor is driven in a mannerwhich will be described below. The chain extends outwardly and around asprocket suitably supported at a distance from the mill and the lowerreach returns beneath the hopper .and around a sprocket 36 mounted on ashaft 38 on the lower side of the saw frame E.

Mounted on the upper longitudinal members 2 are rails 40 forming a trackalong which moves a carriage D which brings the logs up to the saw forcutting. This carriage may be of any well known type and may be drivenin any suitable manner.

On the side of the unit A opposite the saw frame I provide hingedsupports which may be swung out to the position shown in Fig. 1 tosupport a walk 42 alongside the carriage tracks. Each of these supportscomprises a vertical member 44 turnably mounted on the side of the frameA and a horizontal portion 46 which is braced and supported by theportion 48. Obviously these parts may be swung inwardly fortransportation or may swing out so that planks can be placed on them toform a walk for the operator who is working on the carriage D.

Rotatably mounted in the lower part of the frame A is a shaft 50 whichis driven from any suitable source of power K through a belt and pulleylocated on the opposite side of the unit from the saw frame. This shaftpreferably extends some distance outwardly from the frame and is bracedby suitable braces 52. It extends completely through the frame andcarries at its end on the same side of the frame as the saw frame onesection 54 of a separable coupling of any suitable nature, one form ofwhich will be described below.

From the shaft 50 a belt 55 drives a pulley 56 on a second transverseshaft 58 located beneath the saw frame. This shaft through bevelledgearing 60 drives the shaft 38 on which is mounted the pinion of thesawdust conveyor.

It is sometimes desirable to hinge the ends of the frame A to the bodyso that they can be folded up on to the body, thus shortening the lengthof the unit. For this purpose, a double frameworkfis formed at anysuitable point along the length of the unit as at 62 and the two framesare secured together by a hinge 64 at the top and by bolts 66 at thebottom. By removing these bolts the hinged section may be raised up onthe top of the body of the unit.

For units which are to be shipped by rail, it is sometimes necessary toremove a considerable length from one end to permit placing the devicein a freight car. For this purpose, at one point along the length of theunit the longitudinal rails are divided at spaced points 68 and 70 asshown in Figs 1, 2 and 8. By means of suitable bolts 72 the two sectionscan be secured together rigidly through this overlap. To permitseparation at this point, the diagonal bracing member is also maderemovable by the use of suitable bolts at its ends.

The edger unit is likewise formed as a metallic framework ofsubstantially the same nature as the unit A. The greater part of the topof the edger unit is covered by a metallic flooring 74 or other suitableplatform construction which provides a table for the workmen. Thisflooring is adapted to support two or more tables H for the use of theoperators which may be fixed in place or may be removable from the unit.

Means are provided for securing the edger unit rigidly beside the sawunit. This preferably comprises upright members 76 on the saw unit A andsimilar upright members 78 on the edger unit B, these uprights havingaligned apertures through which bolts 80 are passed to hold the twounits rigidly in side by side relation. The uprights are so located thatthe edger unit will be positioned on the same side of the saw unit asthe saw frame and to one side of the saw frame. The opposite end of theedger unit extends a considerable disstance beyond the saw unit as isclearly shown in the drawings. The two units are thus arranged inpartially overlapping relation.

Mounted on the side of the edger unit next to the saw unit and along theoverlapping portion is a live roll bed F. This is composed of a frame-Work 82 having carrying rolls 84 rotatably mounted therein. Between thecarrying rolls and at each end of the frame 82 are guide rolls 86 for abelt 88 which is driven in a manner which will be described below. Theselive rolls receive the slabs and planks cut off by the saw 26 and carrythem to a position adjacent the edger tables H.

The planks are picked up by the operator who stands near the edger tableH and are fed by him to the edger which consists of a frame 90 carryinga shaft 92 on which are mounted three saws 94. This edger may be of anysuitable type well known in the art and its specific construction is nota part of my invention. From the edger, the boards pass to the secondtable H from which they are loaded on to a truck or disposed of in anysuitable manner.

The shaft of the last guide roll 86 of the live roll bed F carries onits end a pinion 96 which meshes with another pinion 98 carried by ashaft 100 mounted in the frame 82. On the shaft 100 is mounted asprocket 102. Beyond the end of the live roll bed and on the flooringand framework of the edger unit is mounted a slab and strip conveyor Iformed in two sections each of which comprises a trough 104 having acentral groove 106. The first section I is supported on three framemembers 108 of increasing height which rest on the top of the edger unitand may be secured thereto by bolts or the like. This section has alower member 110- spaced below the trough proper which serves to guidethe chain in its return movement. The second section I" of the slab andstrip conveyor is removably secured at its inner end to the outer end ofthe first section I. It is supported about midway of its length by an Aframe 112 or in any other suitable manner. At its outer end the sectionI carries a sprocket 114 in alignment with the groove 106. A chain 116runs over the sprockets 102 and 114 and travels through the groove 106and on its return above the member 110 back to the sprocket 102. Atintervals on this chain are arranged cleats 118 of the width of thetrough which will pick up any material missed by the chain itself.

At the lower side of the edger unit is arranged a transverse shaft 120which, when the two units are secured together, will be aligned with thedriven shaft 50 of the first unit. This shaft carries at its end amember 122 which can be coupled to the member 54 of the first shaft orreleased therefrom. Preferably this coupling member is one which willpermit of slight deviations between the two shafts. For example, it mayconsist of discs 54 and 122 on the end of the shafts, these discs havingopenings 123 through which can be passed bolts 125 of slightly lessdiameter than the openings. (See Fig. 9.)

On the shaft 120 is arranged a pulley 124 from which runs a belt 126 tothe pulley 24 on the saw mandrel 22. A suitable tightener 128 isprovided on the saw frame for regulating the tension of when it is inuse.

f the unit which carries the live roll bed, while the lower transverseframe member on the opposite end has a plate 138 for connection to atractor or truck. If desired, the end'of this unit may be arranged by ahinge 140 to swing up and shorten the length of the unit in the samemanner as the unit A. In case this is done, the transverse frame memberat the hinge carries the plate for attachment to the tractor.

The operation and use of my device should be evident. During use, theparts are arranged in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The saw isdriven by the shaft 50 which receives its power from the unit K which islocated on the opposite side of the mill from the edger and is thuscompletely out of the way. The log carriage is driven by the saw mandrelin any suitable fashion. The sawdust conveyor is likewise driven toremove the sawdust from the hopper and drop it at a point remote fromthe mill where it will not interfere with the operation. The logs passthrough the mill and as the planks are out they drop on to the live rollbed F. By this they are conveyed to the edger table where they aretreated and thus finished. The slabs are passed by the live roll beddirectly on to the slab and strip conveyor and are carried by it to apoint at a distance from the mill itself where they can be burned. Thetrash from the edger, is likewise thrown on to the slab and stripconveyor and is carried away.

When it becomes necessary to remove the mill for any reason, thecoupling between the shafts 50 and 120 is released and the belt 126 isremoved from the pulley 24 on the saw mandrel. The outer section of theslab and strip conveyor is disconnected from the inner section and thechain 116 is removed from the sprocket 114 and coiled on the edger unit.If it is necessary to carry the mill where the clearance is very low,the inner section of the slab and strip conveyor may likewise bereleased from the edger unit and either laid on its side on that unit orcarried separately. If the mill must be moved where sharp turns arenecessary, the end sections of each unit may be swung back so as toshorten the length of the units considerably. If the mill is to beshipped in a railroad car, the saw unit may be separated into twosections in the manner described above for transportation. The units aresecured to tractors or trucks by the plates provided and may then beeasily drawn from place to place.

In setting up the mill at a new place, all'that is necessary is to picka number of spots and level them off. These spots must be suitablyspaced to receive the logs which support the mill The two units are thenrun into place and raised up on jacks and squared logs 1&2 can be slidbeneath them. The jacks are then removed and the units will rest on thelogs free of their wheels. As the metallic framework thus rests onsquared logs which are themselves level, the mill will be levelthroughout. Since the units are rigidly securedtogether, they willalways be properly aligned and will operate in the proper manner.

It will be evident that the mill according to my invention, in spite ofits simplicity, is very complete. It can be operated by a very fewpersons and yet there will be no accumulation of material around themill. Because of its simplicity it can be made at a low cost, andbecause of its metallic framework structure it is not subject todestruction by fire or rotting or to the other disadvantages of woodenmills. It is compact and of the smallest size which is practical for theresults obtained. The parts are simple and the connection between thetwo units is quite easy and does not require the services of a skilledmechanic. In separating or connecting the units all that is necessary isto undo a few bolts, one shaft coupling, and one belt. Nevertheless,when the units are assembled they are so rigidly held together that noharmful deviation is possible. The saw frame is rigid with the trackunit and cannot get out of alignment therewith, so that proper sawingaction is assured.

The mill is relatively high and therefore easily portable and the lengthof the units is no greater than is necessary to obtain proper results.It is strong and durable and will stand any reasonable wear to which itwill be subjected in use.

While I have described herein one'embodiment of my invention, I wish itto be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby exceptwithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple unit portable sawmill comprising a portable unit havingtracks thereon for a log carriage and a saw frame rigidly securedthereto at one side of said tracks and supported on said unit, a secondportable unit having an edger mechanism mounted thereon, said unitshaving means thereon independent of said saw frame whereby they may berigidly secured together in side by side relation with said second uniton the same side of said first unit as said saw frame, power receivingmeans on the opposite side of the first unit from the second unit, a sawmandrel carried by said saw frame, and means to drive said saw mandreland said edger mechanism from said power receiving means.

2. A portable sawmill comprising a portableunit formed of a metallicframework, tracks on said unit for supporting and guiding a logcarriage, a saw frame rigidly mounted on said unit at one side of saidtracks and carried by said unit for transportation therewith, a secondportable unit formed of a metallic framework, edger mechanism mounted onsaid second unit, and means independent of said saw frame to secure saidunits rigidly together in side by side relation, said saw frame and saidsecond unit being fixedly secured only through said first unit and saidindependent means.

3. A portable sawmill comprising a portable unit formed of a metallicframework comprising longitudinal members and transverse members, trackson the longitudinal members of said unit for supporting and guiding alog carriage, a saw frame rigidly mounted on said unit at one side ofsaid tracks and carried by said unit for transportation therewith, asecond portable unit formed of a metallic framework, edger mechanismmounted on said second unit, and means independent of said saw frame tosecure said units rigidly together in side by side relation with saidsecond unit extending beyond the first unit, said saw frame and saidsecond unit being fixedly secured only through said first unit and saidindependent means.

4. A portable sawmill comprising a portable unit formed of a metallicframework comprising longitudinal members and transverse members, trackson the longitudinal members of said unit for supporting and guiding alog carriage, a saw frame rigidly mounted on said unit at one side ofsaid tracks and carried by said unit for transportation therewith, asecond portable unit formed .of a metallic framework, edger mechanismmounted on said second unit, and means independent of said saw frame tosecure said units rigidly together in side by side relation with saidsecond unit extending beyond the first unit, said saw frame and saidsecond unit being fixedly secured only through said first unit and saidindependent means, and a slab and strip conveyor formed of metal andhaving at least a portion supported on the extending part of said secondunit.

5. A multiple unit portable sawmill comprising a portable unit havingtracks thereon for a log carriage and a saw frame rigidly secured tosaid unit and supported thereon at one side of the tracks, and a secondportable unit having an edger mechanism mounted thereon, said unitshaving means thereon independent of said saw frame whereby they may berigidly secured together in side by side relation, said saw frame andsaid second unit being fixedly secured only through said first unit andsaid independent means, said first unit having Wheels thereon, and saidsaw frame being so secured to said unit that it is supported by saidwheels during movement of said unit.

6. A multiple unit portable sawmill comprising a portable unit having atrack thereon for a log carriage, a saw frame rigidly mounted on saidunit between its ends and at one side of said track and carried by saidunit for transportation thereport at least a portion of a slab and stripconveyor, and edger mechanism mounted on said second unit.

7. A multiple unit portable sawmill comprising a portable unit having atrack thereon for a log carriage, a saw frame rigidly mounted on saidunit between its ends and at one side of said track, and a secondportable unit adapted to be arranged side by side with said first unit,means independent of said saw frame to secure said units rigidlytogether with said second unit on the same side of the first unit as thesaw frame and principally to one side of the saw frame, said second unitextending beyond the end of the first unit far enough to support atleast a portion of a slab and strip conveyor, edger mechanism mounted onsaid second unit, power receiving means on the opposite side of thefirst unit from the second unit, a saw mandrel carried by said sawframe, and means to drive said saw mandrel and said edger mechanism fromsaid power receiving means.

8. A multiple unit portable sawmill comprising a. portable unit having atrack thereon for a log carriage, a saw frame rigidly mounted on saidunit between its ends and at one side of said track, and a secondportable unit adapted to be arranged side by side with said first unit,means independent of said saw frame to secure said units rigidlytogether with said second unit on the same side of the first unit as thesaw frame and principally to one side of the saw frame, said second unitextending beyond the end of the first unit far enough to support atleast a portion of a slab and strip conveyor, edger mechanism mounted onsaid second unit, a transverse shaft in each of said units, said shaftsbeing aligned when the units are secured together, releasable means forcoupling said shafts together, and power receiving means on said shafton the opposite side of the first unit from the second unit.

9. A multiple unit portable sawmill comprising a portable unit having atrack thereon for a log carriage, a saw frame rigidly mounted on saidunit between its ends and at one side of said track, and a secondportable unit adapted to be arranged side by side with said first unit,means independent of said saw frame to secure said units rigidlytogether with said second unit on the same side of the first unit as thesaw frame and principally to one side of the saw frame, said second unitextending beyond the end of the first unit far enough to support atleast a portion of a slab and strip conveyor, edger mechanism mounted onsaid second unit, a transverse shaft in each of said units, said shaftsbeing aligned when the units are secured together, releasable means forcoupling said shafts together, a live roll bed on the side of saidsecond unit nearest said first unit, and means for driving said edgermechanism and live roll bed from the shaft in the second unit.

10. In a device as claimed in claim 2, conveying means on the side ofsaid second unit nearest said first unit for conveying planks to saidedger mechanism.

11. In a device as claimed in claim 2, a transverse shaft in each ofsaid units, said shafts being aligned when the units are securedtogether, and releasable means for coupling said shafts together.

12. In a device as claimed in claim 2, a transverse shaft in each ofsaid units, said shafts being aligned when the units are securedtogether, releasable means for coupling said shafts together, a sawmandrel mounted in said saw frame, and means for driving said sawmandrel from the shaft in the second unit.

13. In a device as claimed in claim 2, a hopper beneath said saw frame,and a conveyor for removing sawdust from said hopper.

MINOR EMMETT PEACE.

